Habitat for Humanity of Jacksonville is building a cluster of tiny rental homes on the Westside, with money coming from philanthropist Delores Barr Weaver.
The 50 homes will be built this fall on Navaho Avenue in Jacksonville’s Lackawanna neighborhood. They will be 500-square-feet, have front porches that face courtyards, and can house up to two people.
Retiring HabiJax CEO Mary Kay O’Rourke said while the organization remains committed to providing homeownership for families, there is also a tremendous need for smaller rental units.
“You know, and everyone knows here there's such a critical need for affordable housing along the entire spectrum and this is just, you know, another part of us addressing that.”
O'Rourke added that 48% of renters in Duval County are cost burdened - meaning they spend over 50% of their income on housing expenses. She said the new community will be a cost efficient solution for one or two person households.
The Delores Barr Weaver Tiny House Fund at the Community Foundation for Northeast Florida granted $5.5 million for the development.
It will be owned and managed by a separate entity.
Michelle Corum can be reached at mcorum@wjct.org, 904-358-6308 or on Twitter at @MCorumonME.
